Jancis Robinson MW "Well done!" Parker's Wine Advocate "One of Champagne's finest houses, Pol Roger produces among the most consistent ranges of all the Grandes Marques. The style is full-bodied and elegantly fleshy, dominated by Pinot Noir... the maison privileges its NV Brut Réserve—and indeed, while many non-vintage Bruts fluctuate in quality, Pol Roger's "white foil" bottling is both remarkably reliable and long-lived—which ranks as one of the region's best values."
Decanter Review: "Four Stars, 16.5 / 20. Ripe Pinot fruit, a hint of spice, incisive, Chardonnay-led freshness. More precise thanks to a lowered dosage of 8g/l. Exemplary." Michael Edwards July 2011.
Joseph Perrier is a small house in terms of Grand Marque champagnes - only 1 million bottles produced a year, and still use some of the traditional champagne making techniques. Their emphasis is on quality and it shows. Rich fruity style.
Decanter Review: "Four Stars, 16.5 / 20. Ripe Pinot fruit, a hint of spice, incisive, Chardonnay-led freshness. More precise thanks to a lowered dosage of 8g/l. Exemplary." Michael Edwards July 2011.
Joseph Perrier is a small house in terms of Grand Marque champagnes - only 1 million bottles produced a year, and still uses some of the traditional champagne making techniques. Their emphasis is on quality and it shows. Rich fruity style,
Ripe red fruits and spice flavour shaped by the dominant Pinot Noir, and plenty of reserve wine. Wonderfully fresh and crisp, Chardonnay the tempering hand.
60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Meunier. Full bodied and powerful. Toasty, nutty and biscuity with light citrus notes and complex creamy mouthfeel. Excellent with smoked fish dishes.
A blend of Cognac and juice from red grape varieties, aged for five years in oak casks. A fruity, full-flavoured aperitif to be enjoyed well chilled. Château d'Orignac has won accolades in France and throughout the world. It is made from two-thirds grape must (Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot) with one-third Cognac and takes almost 10 years to produce, which results in an intense, complex nose of peaches, apricots, honey, almonds and Cognac and an unforgettably smooth texture on the palate.
A rich effort from this well-known property in St Christoly. Lovely rich mouthfeel, ripe and tannic with a luscious long finish. Low acidity suggests drinking this wine young, say 2014-2021.
A delicious zero dosage wine from Ayala, showcasing quality and finesse. (Sugar can hide a multitude of sins, but you shall find neither in your Brut Nature.) Those who find it too austere should pair it with shellfish (oysters especially) or sushi.
Jancis Robinson MW "Well done!" Parker's Wine Advocate "One of Champagne's finest houses, Pol Roger produces among the most consistent ranges of all the Grandes Marques. The style is full-bodied and elegantly fleshy, dominated by Pinot Noir... the maison privileges its NV Brut Réserve - and indeed, while many non-vintage Bruts fluctuate in quality, Pol Roger's "white foil" bottling is both remarkably reliable and long-lived—which ranks as one of the region's best values."
This is the much requested special ingredient in James Bond’s vesper martini recipe: 3 gin, 1 grain vod, ½ lillet. Served in a champagne goblet shaken, large twist of lemon.
A splendid red aperitif from the Bordeaux region, Lillet Rouge is less famous than its Blanc sister (so beloved of James Bond) and will add welcome pep to your Manhattans and Negronis.
1star Guide Hachette " Pascale Riviere fell in love with the Causse de Montpeyroux where he planted his vineyard. Herehe makes La Pimpanela - "peony" in Occitan - which also means, a cunning and smart girl ... This 2011 plays abig game of seduction: bright garnet colour, nose of cocoa, spice, blackberry jam and blackcurrant bud. Ripe palate, lively and rich, no lack of structure. For a rib of beef and homemade fries.
The house style at Deutz inclines towards the more elegant end of the spectrum as opposed to the rich and robust. Peach, apricot and lemon zest on the nose; biscuits and honey on the palate. A wine with great balance and poise.
This Brut Rosé is made almost exclusively from Pinot Noir grapes from the Montagne de Reims region, and from Premiers Crus and Grands Crus. Just 10% of Chardonnay from the Cotes des Blancs rounds out the blend. Seriously fruity.
100% Maccabeu. Jeb Dunnuck writes "shows lots of lime, citrus peel, green herbs and hints of minerality. This is a fresh, crisp, clean white that will function perfectly as a meal starter. Made from Maccabeu and Grenache that saw some barrel aging (all older oak)"
Terre de Caillotte : one place, one soil, one wine... On a bright yellow color with green hues, Terre de Caillotte opens with a nose full of elegance and refinement. White fruits such as pear, peach embellish notes of white flowers such as hawthorn. On the palate, the wine is straightforward with a nice volume. The maturity of the wine is lined with a superb feminine elegance…
91/100 Wine Advocate "A 50-50 blend of Marsanne and Roussanne, the 2016 Saint Peray comes off limestone soils. Thirty percent was barrel-fermented in new and second use oak, but there’s little overt toast or vanilla here, just honeyed fruit, pineapple and pear flavours on the medium-bodied mid-palate and citrus and chalk dust on the long finish. Drink it over its first 5 years."
A pure Syrah, which has spent two years in wood, including new wood. Overripe grapes. Deep colour. Solid dense nose; solid oak on the nose. Less obvious oak on palate.
To celebrate 185 years of the house, here is the first vintage Rosé made by Joseph Perrier. It is blended from Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards and made up of 20% Chardonnay, 5% Pinot Meunier and 75% Pinot Noir, incorporating 12% Cumieres Rouge.
CWM: 16.5+ /20 Situated in the Saint-Laurent commune, adjacent to Saint Julien on gravels similar to those in Pauillac. Very good structure and a wine for the long haul. Slightly confected nose, with exotic crème de mure, crème caramel and toasty oak. Ripe fruit, very ripe, punchy tannins, quite alcoholic but with sufficient acidity. Long, juicy and impressive. Drink 2020-2029
Massive points scorer with 95 points Decanter, 94 from Wine Advocate and 5stars from Livingstone-Learmonth, one of the best wines of the vintage. "Shiny, deep red robe. Beef stock, red meat airs circulate on the nose, with a tight aroma of raspberry and blackberry behind. It’s as tight as a drum. The palate is muscular, bears intense dark berry fruit, mulberry and loganberry, and really hits the line running. Impressive, delightful Cornas here. It has very good heart and profound length, is a winner. The balance and freshness are both on the money."
This blend of Maccabeu and Grenache Gris is partially fermented then spirit is added and the wine is aged in barrels like an oloroso sherry. Evaporation over 30 years concentrates the wine, which still retains its acidity and sweetness. A joy!
Their first botrytised wine since 2002. No oak. Picked at the end of October. RS 90 g/l. Pale gold. Lightish but varietal with very clean honeyed flavours. Went beautifully with a lemon syllabub.
This blended wine typically Vendeen demonstrates the fineness and elegance of Chenin and Chardonnay together. The mineral nose shows notes of white fruit and pear.The mouth is full, rich and well balanced with aromas of pear and white fruit .
